“That got intense fast,” Morgan said, clearing her throat. “So, we just have to decide if we want to take the mark of the beast, or go back to our lives?”
Lola grinned. “You’re funny. If you decide to stick around, you’re going to fit right in.” Lola’s voice was warm as she continued. “Just know, you’re not alone, girls. Not anymore. If you need anything—advice, a safe place, or just a friend who getsit—call me. And if you need to escape any stalkers who think twenty-four-seven surveillance is romantic, I got tricks.”
“Thank you,” Akira said, her face serious. “To both of you.”
“I’m assuming you will be in touch,” Callon said, looking at Nico.
“I will,” he agreed. “I consider Roan a friend as well, even if he is a bit of a prick.”
“That’s being kind,” Lola grumbled. “But, I’ve no doubt he will do everything in his power to keep Maddie safe. So I’ll give him some grace for that alone.”
“Be on guard, shaman,” Callon tilted his head as his eyes narrowed. “We don’t know what kingdoms we can trust, or what shamans for that matter.”
“Noted.” Nico ended the call, leaving a silence heavy with hope and something like relief.
Morgan was first to break it, tone dry but not unkind. “Alright. Maybe you’re not all completely insufferable.”
Nico tipped his head down. “Careful, that almost sounded like a compliment.”
Akira’s lips twitched, her eyes finally letting him see a glimpse into her, past the leary image she’d held in place. “Don’t push your luck.”
He gave her a smile that was all promise, the urge to touch her a living thing beneath his skin. “You don’t have to decide now. But you have my word—whatever you choose, we’ll respect it.”
Raphael’s attention was all for Miryam now, posture shifting from relaxed to fiercely protective. “If you want to leave, I’ll take you myself. But if you stay, you’ll be under my protection.”
Miryam’s voice was steadier, her chin rising. “What if I choose to stay but have no mate? Is that a possibility?”
A slow, dangerous smile curved Raphael’s lips. “Then you will be free to be courted.”
Morgan groaned. “This whole situation is just a supernatural version ofThe Bachelor, isn’t it?”
“We’re better looking than any males on your television show,” Nico said, not an ounce of humility in his voice, because he knew it was true.
Akira chuckled, the sound light and real, and Nico’s heart stuttered in his chest. “And just as humble, too.”
For the first time since the chaos began, hope flickered. Fragile, but alive.
“Alright,” Morgan said, squaring her shoulders, a blue streak falling into her determined eyes. She looked at the two other females and they seemed to understand the look. Miryam and Akira nodded. “We’ll stay. We’ll do the whole tattoo thing. But if one of you tries anything, I’m not above breaking a chair over someone’s head.”
Nico bowed his head solemnly. “If anyone attempts to harm any of you, I will kill them.”
“Not before I have my fun,” Raphael added in a dark voice.
“Wow,” Miryam said, clapping her hands once. “That got intense really quick.”
Nico’s eyes turned to Akira, wanting to see her reactions to his and the incubus's words.
She met his gaze, steady and fierce. “We’ll see if you’re a man of your word, Nico.”
He let all his intent show, just for her. “I intend to prove it. Every day.” As he continued to stare at her, Nico found himself begging the Creator that Akira wouldn’t have a tattoo and that somehow in the new order of things, she was able to see their world because she was like Maddie. Then he would be able to pursue her, court her, and win her heart.
“Now that you’ve made a decision,” Raphael said, interrupting the moment. “We need to get one of the shifter tattoo artists to help you figure out your kingdoms, or if youeven have one. And Nico and I need to find more evidence that Wolfgang was working with Azure.”
Nico pulled out his phone and sent a text to one of the tattooists he knew in Kingdom of Chaos and hoped he was in Las Vegas and not in one of their other territories. “While we wait on him, you ladies will stay here under guard of someone we trust. You’re not prisoners,” he said, his tone sharp. “It’s for your protection, and as soon as you have your marks, we will take you where you need to go.”
All three of the females nodded and seemed to relax a little more.
Nico’s phone vibrated and he glanced at it. It was from Verion.
